Fluid compressor



April 19, 1938.

I P. MANIS CALCO 2,114,719

' FLUID COMPRESSOR Filed April 10, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A five/afar r P. MANISCALCO FLUID COMPRESSOR April 19, 1938.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1937 April 19, 1938. P. MANISCALCO FLUID COMPRESSOR Filed Apii l 16, 1937 s Sheets-She et s fizzy/afar V M I Patented Apr. 19, 1938- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new improvements in fluid compressors.

One of the main objects'of this invention is to provide a compressor of general utility which can beutilized either as a multiple stage machine for high pressure, or as a single stage machine of high volume, and which can be readily adjusted to serve for either single stage or-plural stage compression.

Another object of this invention is to provide an efiici'ent compressor which is adapted for compressing various fluids, such as air, vapor, am-

moniac, and various gases; so that this compressor may be utilized for compressing fluids, whereby to operate fluid driven motors; and is also adapted for compressing refrigerants, so that it is suited for use in the refrigeration industry, the air conditioning industry, and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a compact and practical compressor which can be readily converted from a single stage to a multiple stage machine, and vice versa, by simply manipulating a few control valves.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fluid compressor that comprises means in the fluid intake mouth, which can be,selectively adjusted, for automatically supplying a" certain small quantity of lubricating means to the fluid as it is drawn into the compressor, so as to properly lubricate the movable parts.

These and various other objects and advantages are attained with this invention, as will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the invention is illustrated in its preferred form, it being apparent that various other arrangements and forms of construction may be adopted for carrying out the objects and purposes of this invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view illustrating an embodiment of my invention in its preferred form of construction.

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir, taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the compressor, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7, are vertical cross-sectional views, taken'respectively on lines 5-5, 6-6, and 1-1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the fluid inlet and of the lubricating means, taken on line 8 -8 of Fig. 6.

, Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a partial view showing a conduit for return of the refrigerant to the compressor, instead of a fluid inlet member.

Briefly, this invention comprises a stationary piston unit including a plurality of pistons which extend from its intermediate portion, each piston having a cylinder reciprocably mounted thereon, with the successive cylinders diminishing in ca- 10 pacity, and there being as many sets of cylinders and pistons as there are stages of compression desired. The means for converting the compressor from one stage to the other includes fluid channels in the pistons provided with control 15 valves which can be readily adjusted, so that the fluid from all the cylinders can be directly conducted to the reservoir, to utilize the machine as a single stage compressor of high volume; or the fluid can be conducted in succession from a larger cylinder to the next smaller one, to utilize the machine as a multiple stage compressor.

In the drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention, and this is shown in the form of a compressor which is readily convertible so as to be utilized either as a single stage or a 'double stage machine. This illustrated form comprises a stationary piston unit l0 having a pair of pistons II and I2 extending in opposite directions from the intermediate part or block 13 of this unit; and the unit has band means H depending from part l3, whereby it is conveniently mounted upon a reservoir or tank l5 to remain stationary thereon, said reservoir being supported with suitable means 16 on a base, as indicated in the drawings. A pair of cylinders, 11 and I8 are reciprocably mounted on said pistons H and I2, respectively.

In this single stage and double stage machine as illustrated, the piston H and its companion cylinder H are larger in diameter than the piston l2 and its companion cylinder 18. The former piston and cylinder thus provide a cylinder chamber 11' of larger capacity than the cylinder chamber 18' provided by the latter; and the former ones serve as the primary piston and cylinder for'the primary stage of compression. while the latter provide the secondary ones for the secondary and higher stage of compression.

The cylinders l1 and I8 are preferably made of aluminum and are provided around their exteriors with cooling fins l9 and 20, respectively. Said aluminum cylinders l1 and I8 are provided respectively with cylindrical steel rings 2| and 22 therein, which travel on the pistons H and I2;

pressed air from flowing directly from chamber while said pistons II and I2 are provided respectively with sealing rings or gaskets 23 and 24 around their end portions to form a fluid-tight fit.

'I'he mechanism included for converting the compressor from one stage to the other comprises a fluid inlet mouth 25 provided on the intermediate part I3 of unit I0, and it has a fluid inlet member 28 detachably mounted therein. Two branches 21 and 28 diverge from the inlet mouth 25, the branch 27 extending thru piston II and terminating in a pocket 29 at the end of said piston, and the branch 28 terminating in a pocket 38 connected thru a. branch 3| to a channel 3| which extends thru piston I2 to a pocket 32 in the end of said piston. A check valve 33 is mounted in pocket 29, and a check valve 34 is mounted in pocket 32. Each check valveincludes the usual valve element for closingthe valve seat, and a spring for normally drawing the element to its closed position. These channels and valves serve as the inlet means for conducting the fluid into cylinder chambers I7 and I8 to be compressed.

A pair of outlet channels 35 and 38 are provided in pistons II and I2 and terminate in pockets-31 and 38 provided at the ends of pistons II and I2, respectively, wherein check valves 39 and 40 are mounted to serve as outlet valves for the flow of fluid from chambers I1 and I8, respectively. A pocket 4| in the side of part I3 communicates thru a branch 35' with channel 35, and a branch channel 42 extends from said pocket toward the side of said part I3. A conduit 43 extends from this channel 42 to the reservoir, so as to conduct the compressed fluid from chamber I'I thru valve .39, pocket 31, channel 35, pocket 4|, channel 42,

and conduit 43 to the reservoir I5.

A control valve 44 is provided in pocket 4| and includes a valve element 44 having a control knob 45 on the outer end of its stem 48 which extends thru a valve casing 41 threaded in the outer end of pocket 4|. Said element 44 is adapted to engage a valve seat 48 in the pocket 4|, to close the channel 35 from communication with channel 42, and prevent the primarily com- I'I' into the reservoir.

The channel 36 in piston I2 has a bent channel 50 extending therefrom downwardly and then laterally tothe side of piston part I3, and has a conduit 5| connected to said bent channel and extending therefrom to reservoir I5, thus providing an outlet for the compressed air from chamber I8 thru valve 4|), pocket 38, channels 36 and 50, and conduit 5| to reservoir'l5. These channels and the conduit are constantly open in this two stage compressor, so that the compressed air from the secondary chamber I8 is enabled to pass thru valve 48 to the reservoir.

Channel means is also provided to furnish direct communication between primary chamber I1 and secondary chamber I 8' to conduct the primarily compressed air to the second stage chamber I8. This includes a channel 53 extending thru piston H, from chamber IT to intermediate part I3, and it is connected thru a branch channel 53' with a pocket 54 in said part I3, which is connected with channel 3|, so that the fluid can flow from chamber I7 thru channel 53, branch 53', pocket 54, channel 3|, pocket 32, and valve 34 into chamber I8.

The control valve means, besides control valve 44, comprises a control valve 58 mounted in pocket 54 and including a valve element 58' with a stem 51 having a knob 58 on its outer end and extending thru a valve casing 59 threaded in pocket 54. Said element 56 is adapted to engage the valve seat 80 to close communication between branch channel 53' and pocket 54 on channel 3|, in order to stop the direct flow of fluid from chamber I'I thru channel 53, branch 53', pocket 54, channel 3|, pocket 32, and valve 34 into chamber I8.

The control valve means further comprises a control valve 62 mounted in pocket 30 and including a valve element 62 with a stem 63 having a knob 64 on its outer end, said stem extending thru a valve casing 65 threaded in pocket 30. The element 62' is adapted to engage a valve seat 66 to close communication between branch channels 28 and 3| to be adapted to prevent passage of fluid from inlet branch 28 into channels 3| and 3|, and therefrom directly into chamber I8 The cylinders I1 and I8 are connected to op- 'erate together, as by means of connecting rods 10 fastened in sleeves II and I2 provided on cylinders I1 and I8, by-the use of nuts I3 threaded on said rods, so that the cylinders will be reciprocated together on the pistons. Suitable means is provided to operate the cylinders, as for example, a link I4 pivoted at one end to ears 15 on cylinder I1, and at the other end to a driving member I6 which is supported and driven in any suitable manner.

In the drawings the control valves are shown in position for the mechanism to function as a single stage compressor. The fluid then enters thru inlet member 26 and flows thru both of the inlet branches 21 and 28, passing thru inlet branch 21 and valve 29 to chamber I1; and likewise passing thru branch 28, pocket 30, branch 3| channel 3|, and valve 34 into chamber I8. The fluid when primarily compressed in chamber I'I then flows from it thru check valve 39, channels 35 and 35', pocket 4|, channel 42, and conduit 43 into the reservoir. At the same time the fluid primarily compressed in chamber I8 then flows thru check valve 40, channels 36 and 50, and thru conduit 5| into the reservoir. In a given time this provides a larger volume, but at a lower pressure, than when operating as a double stage compressor. When it is desired to operate the mechanism as a double stage compressor, then the three control valves are manipulated, to close valve seat 48 by its valve element 44; also to close valve seat 86 by its valve element 62; and to open valve seat 80 by retracting valve element 56' therefrom. The fluid entering thru inlet mouth 25 will then be stopped by the closed valve 82 from passing thru channel 28 into channel 3|, and will flow only thru channel 21 into chamber II for the primary stage of compression. From there it cannot pass thru channel 35 into channel 42 and directly to the reservoir, because valve 44 is closed; but can flow only thru channel 53 and its branch 53', thru the open valve 58, pocket 54, channel 3|, and check valve 34 nto chamber I8 for the second stage and a higher degree of compression. From said chamber I8 this doubly compressed fluid then flows thru valve 40, channel 36 and conduit 5| into the reservoir;

The compressor is provided with lubricating means which is removably mounted thereon, for automatically supplying a desired quantity of lubricating material to the fluid as it is taken into the compressor. It comprises a cup or container 88 removably mounted on member 26, as by means of a lower neck 8| on the cup which has threaded engagement in a collar 82 in the upper central part of inlet member 20, so that the entering fluid is drawn in around neck II.

I This lubricating means further comprises a manually controlled valve in the form of a needle valve '3 provided in the cup, and being adjustable to control the flow thru the discharge opening 84 in the bottom of the cup, or to close the opening; and it comprises an automatic control valve ll threaded in said neck II and including a valve element C'l held yieldably against its valve seat by a spring 88 adjustably mounted on the valve stem. As the fluid is drawn in thru member 26, the valve element 81 is drawn open thereby,

and the lubricant is spread as it descends over the tapering element 81; while the manipulating of needle valve 83 determines the desired amount of lubricant to be admixed with the entering fluid. In the drawings I have shown the-compressor in connection with a reservoir I! for receiving the compressed fluid and storing it for use. A conduit 9| extends from the reservoir and has a control valve 92 therein, for controlling the feeding of the compressed fluid, as when used for operating a fluid driven motor or for any desired purpose. A pressure gauge, and a safety valve 94 are also supplied for the reservoir.

when this compressor is to be utilized in a refrigeration system, for compressing a refrigerant, which is returned for recompression after its expansion in the cooling mechanism, then the inlet member 26 with the lubricating mechanism is readily removed from inlet mouth 25, and a suitable fluid return member, as for example, a nipple 96, provided with a return pipe 91, can be readily installed in inlet mouth 25, in place of the removed member 28, as indicated in Fig. 10' of the drawings, for the return and recompression of the expanded refrigerant. The compressor is likewise adapted for use in an air conditioning system, and the like.

The fluid inlet channels 21, I. and SI, which conduct the cool fluid from the inlet means 26 to the cylinder chambers l1 and I8, aid in cooling the pistons, while the cooling fins l9 and 20 serve to cool the cylinders, thus providing a relatively'cool compressor.

I claim: a

1. A fluid compressor comprising in combination a stationary piston unit including a central block having integral thereon a plurality of pistons of diflerent diameters extending in diiierent directions therefrom, a cylinder on each piston and providing cylinder chambers of different capacities, means for reciprocating the cylinders on the pistons, fluid inlet means on the central block and provided with a conduit branching therefrom and extending longitudinally through each piston to its cylinder chamber, a check valve in each conduit. control valve means mounted in said block and adapted to close all but one of said conduits, a channel in said unit,

leading from a larger cylinder chamber to an inlet conduit of a smaller cylinder chamber to provide direct communication between said chambers and having control valve means thereon adapted to close said communication, a discharge conduit extending i'rom each chamber through its associated piston and provided with conduit means leading to a reservoir, and con trol valve means mounted in the block adapted to close all but one of said discharge conduits, whereby said control valve means can be readily operated to adapt the compressor for use as a single stage or likewise as a multiple stage compressor.

2. A fluid compressor comprising in combination a stationary piston unit consisting of a central block having a smaller piston and a larger piston extending from the two opposite ends and integral therewith, a, pair of cylinders reciprocably mounted on the two ends of the pistons and providing a larger and a smaller cylinder chamber, a fluid inlet mouth on said block and having branch conduits diverging therefrom and extending longitudinally through the pistons to the two chambers, a check valve in each conduit for admitting fluid to the chamber, a control valve extending into the block adapted to enter the conduit of the smaller piston to prevent inlet of fluid directly to the smaller chamber, a channel extending through the larger piston and connected to the inlet conduit of the smaller piston, adapted to provide direct communication between the two chambers, a control valve extending into the block adapted to enter said channel and close said communication, a valved outlet conduit extending from each chamber through the associated piston, and a control valve in the block adapted to close the outlet conduit leading from the larger chamber, whereby the control valves can be readily operated and the mechanism utilized either as a single stage or a double stage compressor.

3. A fluid compressor comprising in combination a stationary piston unit consisting of a substantially cylindrical central block having a smaller piston extending from one end and a larger piston extending from its opposite end, a pair of cylinders mounted on the two ends of the pistons and providing a larger and a smaller cylinder chamber, a fluid inlet mouth on said block and having branch conduits diverging therefrom and extending through the pistons to the two chambers, a check valve in each conduit 'for admitting fluid to each chamber, a control valve removably mounted in the block adapted to enter the conduit of the smaller piston to prevent inlet of the fluid directed to the smaller chamber, a channel extending through the larger piston and connected to the inlet conduit of the smaller piston, adapted to provide direct communication between the two chambers, a control valve removably mounted in the block adapted to enter said channel and close. said communication, a valved outlet conduit extending from each chamber through the associated piston, and a control valve removably mounted in the block adapted to close the conduit leadin from the larger chamber, whereby the control valves can be readily operated and the mechanism utilized either as asingle stage or as a double stage compressor.

MANISCALCO. 

